MD HB1251

Hospitals, nursing homes, hospice facilities, and long-term care facilities must provide patients access to dedicated palliative care programs beginning October 1, 2027, and must inform patients about palliative care availability at diagnosis, during treatment planning, and upon hospital admission.

Health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs must cover palliative care services including physician/nursing services, counseling, mental health services, pain management, home-based care, and social work/care coordination beginning January 1, 2027.

Coverage cannot be denied because a patient is continuing curative treatment, and cannot be limited to end-of-life care only.

Copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for palliative care cannot exceed those for comparable medical services, with an exception for high-deductible health plans as defined under federal tax code.

The Department of Health must adopt regulations establishing minimum standards for palliative care delivery and must submit annual reports to the General Assembly beginning January 1, 2028 on access, utilization, and quality of palliative care services statewide.